2.Begin with Big Ones: www.expedia.com, www.orbitz.com, and www.travelocity.com, and Obvious Ones: www.cheapseats.com, www.cheapair.com, www.cheapflights.com, and www.hotwire.com .

3.Check out this site to find budget airlines and go to their sites for prices: http://www.flybudget.com . It lists some airlines I promise you you've never heard of, and comments from people who've flown them.

On a recent trip I took, Southwest beat out everyone except hotwire.com.

4.Try a consolidator. Frommers recommends following: http://www.frommers.com/activities/article.cfm?destid=AIRFARE&articleid=453 . 5.Visit sites of individual carriers. Sometimes you can get a better deal there.

7.Bid or name your price: http://www.skyauction.com/, www.priceline.com .

Key #4: Find a Tax Advisor

Did this year's tax season feel like a never-ending nightmare of tax forms and a huge tax bill? Then now is time to take another look at 2003 and plan for current tax year. First look back at process you went through in compiling your returns. Do you have a huge tax bill or tax refund? Was your tax preparation software helpful? Did your professional tax preparer meet your needs?. Any good preparer should save you at least as much as fee they charge. You may also gain valuable advice on how reduce your taxes for coming year. But don't wait until last minute.

Ask friends and family for recommendations. Ask about credentials and professional designations. There are two designations to look for in a tax preparer. Enrolled agents (EAs) have passed rigorous IRS exams and are certified to represent clients in tax court. CPAs, or certified public accountants, have also passed several examinations and are licensed to practice by state.

Interview your top candidates to see if you feel comfortable with them. Do they have expertise for your specific situation? And will they be available for questions after tax season is over. When you first meet to talk about your taxes, be prepared to talk about your personal life. Your preparer isn't just being nosy. Personal details can have important tax implications. Are you planning to get married or divorced? Are you looking to buy a house? Such life events show up on your tax return as dollars and cents.

Savvy overseeing of your financial books will enable you to build a life and/or company that thrives. And it's literacy that enables you to do that.